RECENTLY MY WIFE AND I TOOK the famous 17-mile drive along the Carmel, California, coast. What a glorious day! The shining sun reflected off the gently rolling waves of the Pacific Ocean. Every turn in the road brought magnificent views.
No one can be untouched by the beauty of the earth. Gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, shady forest glens, awe-inspiring mountain peaks, flowers of every shape and hue, animals in natural habitats, all make us stop and stare in wonder and gratitude for the rich and varied life on our planet.
Yet daily we hear reports that we are betraying this natural beauty, spoiling it with our civilization. Global warming, deforestation, air pollution, population explosion, and species becoming endangered all threaten the beauty and health of our earth. Sometimes it feels as if we should just tear up civilization and start all over again to live a simpler and more caring life.
